Subway / Streetcar Operator

Operate subway or elevated suburban trains with no separate locomotive, or electric-powered streetcar, to transport passengers. May handle fares.

O*NET reports this occupation under titles such as: Combined Rail Operator; Light Rail Operator; Light Rail Train Operator; Light Rail Vehicle Operator (LRV Operator); Rail Operator; Rapid Transit Operator (RTO); Streetcar Operator; Train Operator; Transit Operator; Trolley Operator

Tasks

• Monitor lights indicating obstructions or other trains ahead and watch for car and truck traffic at crossings to stay alert to potential hazards.
• Operate controls to open and close transit vehicle doors.
• Drive and control rail-guided public transportation, such as subways, elevated trains, and electric-powered streetcars, trams, or trolleys, to transport passengers.
• Report delays, mechanical problems, and emergencies to supervisors or dispatchers, using radios.
• Regulate vehicle speed and the time spent at each stop to maintain schedules.
• Make announcements to passengers, such as notifications of upcoming stops or schedule delays.
• Direct emergency evacuation procedures.
• Complete reports, including shift summaries and incident or accident reports.
• Greet passengers, provide information, and answer questions concerning fares, schedules, transfers, and routings.
• Attend meetings on driver and passenger safety to learn ways in which job performance might be affected.

Knowledge

• Transportation
• Public Safety and Security
• Customer and Personal Service
• English Language

Skills

• Active Listening
• Speaking
• Monitoring
• Reading Comprehension
• Critical Thinking
• Active Learning

Abilities

• Control Precision
• Multilimb Coordination
• Reaction Time
• Problem Sensitivity
• Rate Control
• Near Vision
• Far Vision
• Auditory Attention
• Oral Expression
• Deductive Reasoning
• Perceptual Speed
• Selective Attention
• Arm-Hand Steadiness
• Response Orientation
• Flexibility of Closure
• Manual Dexterity
• Depth Perception
• Oral Comprehension
• Speech Clarity
• Information Ordering
• Time Sharing
• Written Comprehension
• Inductive Reasoning
• Category Flexibility
• Finger Dexterity
• Visual Color Discrimination
• Hearing Sensitivity
• Speech Recognition